THE DAY OF THE LORD WILL COME

Thessalonians  •  Sermon  •  Submitted   •  Presented   •  40:56
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1 Thessaloninas 4:13-18
This week we will continue our study of 1 Thessalonians. This morning’s text was given by Paul so the Thessalonians would not be uninformed about the subject our loved ones who have died. May the Lord use his word to encourage our hearts today.

I. THOSE WHO ARE ASLEEP

A. 1 Thessalonians 4:13–14 (ESV) — 13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
1 Thessalonians 4:13–14 ESV
13 But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. 14 For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.
B. Paul’s abrupt departure from Thessalonica had left the people with some unanswered questions or maybe the need for more information.
C. The foundational teaching in the faith is based upon what we read in Hebrews 6:1-2.
D. Hebrews 6:1–2 (ESV) — 1 Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
Hebrews 6:1–2 ESV
1 Therefore let us leave the elementary doctrine of Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 and of instruction about washings, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment.
E. Our text is concerned with loved ones who had already departed this life.
F. Paul doesn’t want the readers to be uninformed or ignorant concerning the departed.
G. His goal is to stave off (drive or thrust away) a hopeless grief.
H. Acts 26:6–8 (ESV) — 6 And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, 7 to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king! 8 Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?
Acts 26:6–8 ESV
6 And now I stand here on trial because of my hope in the promise made by God to our fathers, 7 to which our twelve tribes hope to attain, as they earnestly worship night and day. And for this hope I am accused by Jews, O king! 8 Why is it thought incredible by any of you that God raises the dead?
I. Faith and hope travel together. Faith in Him is the confident assurance of our hope (Hebrews 11:1).
J. The issue was not that unbelievers grieve and believers should not for Paul himself spoke of the sorrow that loss can bring.
K. Philippians 2:27 (ESV) — 27 Indeed he (Epaphroditus) was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
Philippians 2:27 ESV
27 Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
L. The foundation of Paul’s instruction is rooted in what they believed: 14 “For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again…”
M. Here is what they need to know about the dead in Christ: 14b “..even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.”
N. The comfort they needed, and we also need is not just that the Lord is coming again, but that those who we love, who are departed, will be coming with him when he returns.

II. A WORD FROM THE LORD

A. 1 Thessalonians 4:15–17 (ESV) —15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4:15–17 ESV
15 For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. 16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. 17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.
B. After reminding the Thessalonians of the foundation of the death and resurrection of Jesus in verse 14, Paul now gives specific insights that he declares to be a word from the Lord.
C. Those alive at the coming of the Lord will not precede those who have fallen asleep in the Lord.
D. The dead in Christ will rise first.
E. Their family and friends who have left this life in faith will be raised first and then the living will be caught up together with them, the risen dead, in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.
F. From then on, the faithful will forever be with the Lord.

III. ENCOURAGE ONE ANOTHER

A. 1 Thessalonians 4:18 (ESV) —18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
1 Thessalonians 4:18 ESV
18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.
B. These words are to bring encouragement to the living.
C. We are to use these words in our counsel of one another.
D. Colossians 1:27 (ESV) — 27 … Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Colossians 1:27 ESV
27 To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
E. If Jesus is raised then we will be raised at his return.
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